Mrs. Patricia Celestine (Hall) Eldridge, 90, of Galesburg, IL passed away peacefully to return to her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 12:10 p.m. C.T. in her home with family by her side. She fought a long and tedious illness with bravery and sometimes tears, but always with the support and love of her family.
Patricia was born on January 9, 1933, to the union of Frank Marcus Hall and Earlene Porter Spears in Litchfield, Illinois during a road trip from Taylorville, IL “back home” to Kingsport, TN. The family moved from Taylorville to Galesburg, IL when she was 2 years old. She attended Galesburg High School until 1949 when she married Caesar W.D. Greene Sr. Pat and Caesar welcomed six children from their union.
Patricia worked at what was then known as the Galesburg State Research Hospital in 1954 caring for the residents for 4 years. She and Caesar divorced, after which, she moved to Kingsport, TN for two years to be near relatives before returning to Galesburg and the Research Hospital. Upon her return, she met and later married Lee Arthur Eldridge in 1964. That union produced one child.
Patricia and Lee got involved with motorcycles and eventually formed the “Rolling Stallions” club with the assistance of the Atomic Jets out of Peoria, IL. She occasionally told stories of riding around the United States with Lee until their divorce in 1973.
Patricia focused on raising her family and hosting family gatherings until she retired from the Galesburg Mental Health Center. After a brief respite, Pat “un-retired” and went back to the Mental Health Center until it closed, at which time she moved to Peoria and worked at the Zeller Mental Health Center. After retiring from Zeller, Pat returned to Galesburg and eventually lived with and cared for her mother, Earlene, until her passing in 2001.
Patricia’s hobbies over the years included motorcycle riding, crocheting, reading, and doing puzzles. She also had a vast library of romance and mystery novels at one point. However, few activities gave her greater joy than playing Scrabble and being with family. In her later years, Pat enjoyed meeting friends for breakfast and lunch to visit and get the scoop on what was happening in Galesburg.
Patricia has gone on to rejoin her mother and father, her 3 brothers, Toussaint Hall, Ronnie Hall, and Donnie Hall, and one grandson, Joseph D. Greene (“Jo Jo”). She leaves behind to cherish her memory her children: Caesar (Joyce) W.D. Greene Jr. of Kewanee, Paul Greene of Galesburg, Susie Warner of Galesburg, Bruce C. Greene, (Sherray) of St. Paul, MN, Markita Anderson of Galesburg, Lee A. Eldridge of Tiffin, IA; one loving sister, Marlene Turner of Omaha, NE, and a sister-in-law/ dear friend, Freda Hall of Galesburg.
Patricia is also survived by her 14 grandchildren: Bobby Greene, William Greene, Christopher Greene, Timothy Greene, Wilson Greene, Michaella Warner, Myneka Warner, Justus Kimbrough, Joi Greene, Blake Anderson, Nahketah Anderson, Trelee Galloway, Brittany Galloway, Lauryn Eldridge, 19 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family too numerous to name.
Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 1, 2023, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Funeral services will follow at 2:30 p.m. Tony Franklin will officiate. Burial will be at East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
